Our goal is to connect incoming students, returning students, and existing students to peer support, advocacy, and a sense of community around their recovery. It includes supporting its members as they pursue a balance between an academically successful, socially engaged, well-rounded college experience, and the achievement of their recovery goals. We strive to destigmatize the experience of addiction and recovery.
Please contact us by email: therapy@pratt.edu, by phone: 718-687-5356, or stop by our office.
Substance Misuse
The use of drugs and alcohol may have negative effects on oneself or others.
Substance misuse, including prescription drug and alcohol misuse, are growing concerns on college campuses. Overdose (unintentional poisoning) is 1 of the top 3 causes of accidental death in the US. The introduction of Fentanyl into certain drugs has increased overdose rates exponentially.
Prescription Drug Misuse
Prescription drug misuse is defined by using a medication without a prescription, in a way other than as directed, or for the feeling it generates (i.e. to get high, stay awake, escape uncomfortable feelings).Prescription drug misuse can lead to heroin addiction in situations where a person is misusing opiates (Vicodin, Oxycontin, Percoset).
Suspect an Overdose?
Afraid to Call 911? Don’t be. NYC’s new “911 Good Samaritan” law provides protections from charge and prosecution for drug and alcohol possession for the victim and those who seek help during an overdose.
What Should I Do If I See an Overdose?
- Call 911 immediately
- If you have Narcan, please administer it immediately. If you don’t have it, Campus Safety (718.636.3600) can give it to you
- If the person is not breathing, do rescue breathing (mouth to mouth)
- Lay the person on their side once they start breathing again
Signs of an Overdose:
- The person is unconscious and you can’t wake them
- Breathing slowly or not at all
- Lips or nails are turning blue
Save a life! To get trained to use NarCan (the opioid overdose reversal drug), contact Jasmine Cuffie at jcuffie2@pratt.edu. Narcan is available (no questions asked) in the following locations on campus: The Health Center, The Counseling Center, Residential Life, and The Library.
Resources:
- www.samhsa.gov – Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration website that provides links to treatment, helplines and general information about substance use and mental health issues
- recoverydharma.org
- smartrecovery.org
- youngpeopleinrecovery.org
- https://newyorkna.org/
- https://www.safeproject.us/
- https://www.celebraterecovery.com/
Alcohol Misuse
One or more of the behaviors below may indicate alcohol misuse:
- Missing class or being late for class
- Drunk Messaging/ phone calls/ texts
- Unwanted/unplanned hook-up
- Engaging in unprotected sex
- Drinking to overcome anxiety in social situations
- Saying something you regret while intoxicated
- Thinking about or being distracted by thoughts of when you can drink again/Cravings for alcohol
- Black-outs or memory loss
- Drinking alone to deal with your feelings/stress
- Vomiting
- Engaging in self-harm while intoxicated (i.e. cutting, burning self with a cigarette, putting yourself in dangerous situations)
- Alcohol poisoning that requires stomach being pumped at hospital
- Disciplinary/legal consequences
- Injuring yourself while drinking
- Feeling depressed, anxious or guilty the day after drinking
Go to alcoholscreening.org to get personalized feedback about your drinking in less than a minute.
Alcohol Poisoning
Drinking too much alcohol, too quickly, can be dangerous and lethal. In large quantities, alcohol can shut down brain functioning, leading to death. BACs (Blood Alcohol Concentrations) of 0.30 or more can be fatal.
How do you know if someone is suffering from alcohol poisoning?
- Person passes out and cannot be awakened
- Cold, clammy, pale or bluish skin
- Slow or irregular breathing
- Person has vomited while passed out
What should I do if I think someone has alcohol poisoning?
- Call 911. Do not leave the person alone.
- Never put the person to bed to sleep it off.
- Turn the person on his or her side (to reduce the chance that the person will choke on his/her vomit).
- If you are on campus, call Campus Security at 718.636.3540 or contact your RA. Do not let your fear of getting someone in trouble for drinking prevent you from reaching out for help; remember, an angry friend is better than a dead friend.
How can I reduce harm?
It is illegal to drink alcohol in New York state if you are under 21 years of age. If you choose to drink, your style of drinking can determine your level of risk.
Here are some tips that may reduce your chance for harm:
- Avoid drinking games (it’s harder to keep track of how much you drink, and you are more likely to raise your BAC to a dangerous level in a short period of time).
- Limit yourself to one drink per hour (standard size drink) no more than 3 drinks in a sitting if your gender assignment at birth was female, no more than 4 if your gender assignment at birth was male. Alternate with non-alcoholic beverages.
- Eat before you drink.
- Avoid drinks that mix alcohol with caffeine/other stimulants. The energizing effects of the stimulants in these drinks can mask your awareness of how intoxicated you are, and you can make the mistake of drinking more than your body can handle.
- Avoid pre-gaming. This can result in drinking more than you expect or want to because you will already be buzzed when you get to your destination, and your inhibitions/judgment will be impaired.
- Keep your drink in your hand at all times to avoid someone secretly slipping a drug(s) into your drink.
- Surround yourself with individuals you trust, so that, if something happens, there will be people who can take necessary action to assist you.
Resources:
- Rethinking Drinking – Strategies on how to change your drinking pattern, with tips to build alcohol refusal skills and cope with cravings.
- Alcoholics Anonymous
- Adult Children of Alcoholics (ACA)